Community trust trumps individual faith

Q. The Fort Hood shootings have raised questions again about how the military should handle the personal religious beliefs of its soldiers, whether they are evangelical Christians, Muslims, Wiccans, and so on. What is the proper role of religion -- and personal religious belief -- in the U.S. armed forces? Should a particular religious affiliation disqualify someone from active military service? How far should the military go to accommodate personal religious beliefs and practices?


A. Religion has a role wherever matters of life and death are present, and that certainly describes military service. All members of the armed services, both those that expect to see active duty and those that serve in staff roles that are far from the front lines, have to realize that the possibility of death is their constant companion. For those of faith, their religious doctrine and spiritual disciplines provide wingman-like support as they head into daily battle.

Accommodating the religious beliefs and practices of those in the military within reason is a sound management practice because it can provide a coping mechanism that helps make sense of the insanity of war. Priests, pastors, clerics and rabbis play a unique role in times of crisis by helping to put the violence, loss and anger into a larger framework with a purpose that is more enduring than the immediate pain. They are some of the resources that can facilitate a “normal” life on base after a day of fighting in the field. The benefits they provide have the potential to enhance life for the whole community simply by tending to the spiritual needs of the individual.

But what defines “within reason”? I would argue that it is anything that aligns with the objectives above, i.e. providing the resources and accommodations required to address the spiritual needs of the individuals in order to make a positive impact on the military community as a whole. That would include the presence of religious leadership, conduct of regular worship activities, celebration of key religious holidays, and accommodations for special dietary practices that are motivated by religious beliefs. However accommodations that privilege one religious sect over another or feed historic tensions between the religions are not “within reason” because in this type of life or death context, the building up of the community must take priority over the building up of the individual. To be effective against the enemy, the enemy must be external – not within. The ability to have faith in and trust ones fellow soldiers is a critical enabler in an effective military; perhaps even more important for some than faith in a higher power.

As long as a soldier can demonstrate that his/her religious beliefs align with and support the goals of the larger military community they should be allowed to serve in active duty. However if there is any evidence that the impact of their religious beliefs will prevent them from full participation in achieving the collective mission of the community then they should be excluded for the safety of all involved. In this case the needs of the whole have to take priority over the desires of the individual as a sign of respect for the willingness of those in the military to make the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow countrymen and women.